Annapolis 2.0
There is a concept of the Internet called 'Web 2.0,' which defines the fastest-growing aspect of online communications. It sounds technical but really is more a description of how people use the Internet.
It is summarized by the catch phrase "the read-write Web."
This refers to the phenomenon that more and more people are using the Internet not only to read stuff (like this blog), but also to self-publish. The Internet is quickly moving from being a "one-to-many" medium to being a "many-to-many" medium (to use the words of Dan Gilmor in We The Media) .
The amazing thing is that millions of people of all ages, races and inclinations are posting pictures, blogging, commenting, engaging in online discussions and forums, chat groups and much more. They are not only reading, they are writing (or publishing) up a storm!
We want to move more in that direction on HometownAnnapolis.com soon.
We will soon add commenting on our blogs, and add a lot more community blogs. (If you have interest, please write). We are also looking at adding other social-networking applications which will help local users connect with and publish to the larger community.
I spoke on the phone not too long ago with Brian White, of Edgewater. Brian had called for several reasons, one of which was to thank us (and especially reporter Pam Wood) for the "excellent coverage" of environmental issues in the newspaper. He was very complimentary of the coverage of Chesapeake Bay that The Capital has given.
We went on to talk about the Internet. I mentioned to him that since we introduced story commenting about 8 months ago, there has been a tremendous response by local people not only to comment on the stories we post but to use these as a jumping-off point to start vigorous discussion of local issues.
In response, Brian said something that really rang a bell for me. He said "yes, I use the service , and comment sometimes. It has helped me find my passion."
The answer stunned me. While I have long been an advocate of citizen media and people-publishing I have never considered this a way to help people 'find' their passion.
Express their passion? Sure! But find it? Wow - quite a concept.
The more I thought about this the better I feel about it. It is great to imagine Annapolis and Anne Arundel County full of passionate people. Especially the kind that express it publicly. It could transform a community.
For too long people have been content to just listen, or read, and be passive. For centuries people have had little choice. The media has traditionally been a one way conversation - 'one-to-many.'
Now people are entering the public conversation in large numbers. We in the traditional media have to move over on the stage and make room for a lot more people on it - and for a very passionate, many-sided conversation.
Our community is full of bright, earnest and caring people. There is a lot of passion. It is great to hear all of you speak.
It is summarized by the catch phrase "the read-write Web."
This refers to the phenomenon that more and more people are using the Internet not only to read stuff (like this blog), but also to self-publish. The Internet is quickly moving from being a "one-to-many" medium to being a "many-to-many" medium (to use the words of Dan Gilmor in We The Media) .
The amazing thing is that millions of people of all ages, races and inclinations are posting pictures, blogging, commenting, engaging in online discussions and forums, chat groups and much more. They are not only reading, they are writing (or publishing) up a storm!
We want to move more in that direction on HometownAnnapolis.com soon.
We will soon add commenting on our blogs, and add a lot more community blogs. (If you have interest, please write). We are also looking at adding other social-networking applications which will help local users connect with and publish to the larger community.
I spoke on the phone not too long ago with Brian White, of Edgewater. Brian had called for several reasons, one of which was to thank us (and especially reporter Pam Wood) for the "excellent coverage" of environmental issues in the newspaper. He was very complimentary of the coverage of Chesapeake Bay that The Capital has given.
We went on to talk about the Internet. I mentioned to him that since we introduced story commenting about 8 months ago, there has been a tremendous response by local people not only to comment on the stories we post but to use these as a jumping-off point to start vigorous discussion of local issues.
In response, Brian said something that really rang a bell for me. He said "yes, I use the service , and comment sometimes. It has helped me find my passion."
The answer stunned me. While I have long been an advocate of citizen media and people-publishing I have never considered this a way to help people 'find' their passion.
Express their passion? Sure! But find it? Wow - quite a concept.
The more I thought about this the better I feel about it. It is great to imagine Annapolis and Anne Arundel County full of passionate people. Especially the kind that express it publicly. It could transform a community.
For too long people have been content to just listen, or read, and be passive. For centuries people have had little choice. The media has traditionally been a one way conversation - 'one-to-many.'
Now people are entering the public conversation in large numbers. We in the traditional media have to move over on the stage and make room for a lot more people on it - and for a very passionate, many-sided conversation.
Our community is full of bright, earnest and caring people. There is a lot of passion. It is great to hear all of you speak.
posted by Alan Eason at
10:48 AM
1 Comments
